Hearing aid

Abstract

The manner of informing a user about the current setting of manually adjustable parameters in a hearing aid is to be improved. In addition it is proposed that an information signal be transmitted to the user, on the basis of which said user is informed that an upper or lower end of the value range for a parameter to be set has been reached, so that further activation of the relevant actuator remains ineffective in respect of parameter setting. The invention is used in particular in conjunction with actuators which do not have a mechanical end stop, whereby the user could identify that the upper or lower end of the value range of the parameter to be set has been reached.

1. A hearing aid, comprising:
 an input converter for receiving an input signal; 
 a signal processing unit connected to the input converter; 
 an output converter for emitting an acoustic output signal, the output signal: 
 perceivable by a user of the hearing aid, 
 representing a setting or status of the hearing aid, and 
 comprising a plurality of information signals stored in or generated by the hearing aid; and 
 at least one activatable actuator for adjusting a volume parameter of the hearing aid, the volume parameter having a specified value range, and the actuator lacking a mechanical end stop for defining a upper or lower end of the value range, wherein the plurality of information signals includes at least one acoustic limit signal for indicating to the user that the upper or lower end of the value range has been reached as a result of the user's activating the actuator. 
 
     
     
       2. The hearing aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is an adjusting wheel or a knob continuously rotatable in at least one rotational direction. 
     
     
       3. The hearing aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a rocker switch having two non-stable switching positions and one stable central position. 
     
     
       4. The hearing aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises at least a first and a second push button, the first push button configured to increment a value of the parameter, and the second push button configured to decrement the value of the parameter. 
     
     
       5. The hearing aid according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of information signals includes at least one acoustic volume signal for indicating to the user a current volume setting. 
     
     
       6. The hearing aid according to  claim 5 , wherein a volume of the volume information signal is adjusted to the current volume setting. 
     
     
       7. The hearing aid according to  claim 1 , further comprising an operating element for retrieving a current volume setting without changing the volume, wherein the plurality of information signals includes at least one volume setting signal emitted upon the user's actuating the operating element, the at least one volume signal setting representing the current volume setting. 
     
     
       8. The hearing aid according  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to generate a digital or a pulse-type actuating signal. 
     
     
       9. A hearing aid system, comprising:
 at least one hearing aid; and 
 a remote control as a unit separate from the hearing aid for controlling the hearing aid, the hearing aid comprising: 
 an input converter for receiving an input signal; 
 a signal processing unit connected to the input converter; 
 an output converter for emitting an acoustic output signal, the output signal: 
 perceivable by a user of the hearing aid, 
 representing a setting or status of the hearing aid, and 
 comprising a plurality of information signals stored in or generated by the hearing aid; and 
 at least one activatable actuator included in the remote control for adjusting a volume parameter of the hearing aid, the volume parameter having a specified value range, and the actuator lacking a mechanical end stop for defining a upper or lower end of the value range, wherein the plurality of information signals includes at least one acoustic limit signal for indicating to the user that the upper or lower end of the value range has been reached as a result of the user's activating the actuator.